Archive for the ‘Development’ Category

One of the things I’ve been struggling through this transition is how to handle the array of emotions I see from people. Some have been SUPER excited and affirming in this call to plant a church. Others seem…well…angry, sad, and/or hurt. One thing I’m learning…you can’t please them all. I’ve been at my church for almost 9 years. I’m sure there are some worries as to what will happen next. There are probably a lot of questions floating around. I know they will get answered, just in time…and if people ask those question rather than just wondering. Some people who look hurt, sad, or angry never seem to express it. And I wonder why? Why not tell me what you’re feeling? I know it’s something to process, but in my mind I’m thinking, “Let’s process it together.” But people process in their own ways.

I guess what gets me through it all is the knowledge of knowing that this is what God has called me to…and…the people who are excited for me. I know that they will be praying for me. They see the call God has placed in me and are supporting me. This is huge to my family and I.

Last week was a tough one. I announced my resignation as Youth Pastor of North Haven Church. Why would I do such a thing? Especially since I LOVE my job? And I LOVE the students I work with? Well, that answer is simple yet difficult. God has placed on my heart a desire for leading people to Jesus Christ. In this desire, God has called me to plant a church! Yes, start a new church from scratch. Studies have shown that the best way to evangelize is by planting churches. People, the un-churched and de-churched, are more willing to try something new, unestablished. It’s through this venture that I am called to preach the message of God. Am I scared about this? YES! But I know that God has called me to this and is going before me. And I know that because God has huge plans for me, he has huge plans for the youth ministry that I am leaving.

The most important thing I keep thinking about is the STRONG desire to hear from the mouth of Jesus when I see him face to face is, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Nothing short of that is acceptable. So I will say that I have faith, walk by that faith, and live by that faith.

For the remander of this blog, I might just be posting how this transition is going and what’s going thought my mind as I process all this. Being that I’ve never done this before, I’m in uncharted territory. So please, bare with me.

This week at youth group, my oldest son was having a hard time in Sparks. So they brought him up to me while I was leading youth group. This has never happened before so I was little concerned for my little guy. He sat so patiently in the back of the room just watching me “do my thing”.

In the past, I’ve tried bringing him with me to events and youth group only to find that in those times, he’s been needy and felt the need for me to hold him. That’s not really doable when you’re up front teaching. I was afraid when I saw him and his Sparks teacher come into our youth room that that’s what I would have to do.

Boy was I wrong. His behavior that night makes me second guess that I can’t bring him to any event. He is, after all 5 years old. I know many other youth pastors bring their younger kids with them. Maybe now I can.

Looking for some answers as to why young people don’t go to church or have left the church? Then you need to read this book. It’s creates a slew of emotions as you read each chapter. If you’re not moved to change the way church is now or even your livestyle after reading this book…them something is wrong. David provides compelling evidence as to what we need to do as the Church to meet the needs of our culture and to make a difference in this world. He ends his book with a great question…

The longer I’ve been in youth ministry and the older I get the more I feel it. It’s called the “Generational Gap”. I think it happens to everyone, but I honestly thought it wouldn’t start happening already. It sort of depressing. Things in the culture used to come so easy, but it’s changing so fast that I struggle keeping up. The students are changing so quickly that as soon as I understand them and what’s going on…it’s old news.

That’s why I’m so thankful for my volunteers that are younger and deep in that culture. They relate so well and can hold those challenging conversations with the students. As opposed to my conversations which are all about explaining things to me. I also love the tools of CYPU, Group, and slew of other culture websites that I should be reading more of.

How do you stay involved in the youth culture? Where do you get your information? Maybe it’s a tool I can use.

It’s been a fun year already for me in the area of preaching. Normally, I get maybe one chance a year, but this year I’ve preached twice already. Guess what? I love doing it. It’s fun. I posted the other day about how hard it was to get ready for that, yet I felt that it all came together nicely. In fact, I encourage you to take a listen. The topic was on something I was wrestling with before and during my sabbatical. I also want to encourage you to do the 30 day challenge I give in the message. Many in our congregation took that challenge, which the amount of people doing it surprised me. I was so encouraged, Thanks!

We all have weaknesses in what we do. It’s natural. You can’t be the best in every aspects of life and/or career. I think I’ve personally come to realize that is very true for me. Some things I’m great at and yet there are other areas where I really stink. This is why I’m so thankful for some of my closest supporters in my ministry. They want to come along side me and help. They want to help in areas where I’m weak. This means the absolute WORLD to me. The fact that someone cares enough to help because they want to see me succeed and my ministry succeed is amazing. It’s humbling.

For those in leadership, sure we’ll always have those people who grumble and will never like what we do or how we do it. But it’s those that see something in you and want to help you be even better are the people we should want to invest in. They are your biggest supporters. Find them, gather them, keep them close. You’ll need them!